Bishop Airlock to the ISS!

December 07, 2020

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Bishop, the Nanoracks commercial airlock module, is ready to be launched to the International Space Station on SpaceX CRS-21 .

Thales Alenia Space, Joint Venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %) produced and tested the critical pressure shell for Bishop as well as the Multi-Layer Isolation (MLI) and various secondary structures, including the Micrometeoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) shield, the Power and Video Grapple Fixture support structure and other structural components.

Bishop is a four-cubic meter bell-shaped airlock; it will be attached to the Tranquility Node, also developed by Thales Alenia Space as a permanent commercial module at the ISS. Bishop will provide five times the current payload volume available through the existing airlock on the ISS. In the long-term, Bishop could be removed from the Space Station and be re-purposed for a Nanoracks free-flying Outpost.

“We’re are very proud to be part of this key Nanoracks commercial Program – said Walter Cugno, Vice President Exploration and Science Domain at Thales Alenia Space – Bishop is the first-ever commercial airlock that will operate on the International Space Station and thanks to the Nanoracks we gained the opportunity to bring to this program over 40 years of experience in the design and production of advanced technology solutions connected with the International Space Station. Thales Alenia Space will continue to provide these capabilities for future business opportunities revolutionizing the human presence in low-Earth orbit.”

Source : Thales